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Biodiversity at risk in the in the spami pelagos sanctuary: The impact of marine litter on biota
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Researchers assessed biodiversity risks in the Pelagos Sanctuary, a protected area in the northwestern Mediterranean designated for cetacean conservation, from marine plastic pollution including microplastics. The study quantified plastic contamination within the sanctuary and evaluated the exposure risk for protected species including dolphins and whales.
The Mediterranean basin is the second largest biodiversity hotspot in the world; however, is under threat related to a plethora of anthropogenic stress. Biodiversity in the Special Protection Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) "Pelagos Sanctuary" coexists with many of anthropic impacts. This study focuses on the potential risks posed by marine litter to the Mediterranean biodiversity using Pelagos Sanctuary as a case study, shedding the light on the intricate interplay between marine litter pollution and ecosystem health. In detail, the main objective of this study is to propose a new methodological survey and an innovative strategy of data analysis to evaluate the potential impact of marine litter (including microplastics) on Mediterranean biota. More than 25 species (ranging from invertebrates to cetaceans) have been analyzed using two approaches: 1) the visual survey of 8 large vertebrate species (elasmobranchs, sea turtles, seabirds and cetaceans) throughout the study area, and the overlapping of their core density with the levels of abundance of microplatics and macrolitter monitored simultaneously in the same studied area; providing also data on the species richness of the marine megafauna inhabiting the SPAMI; 2) the evaluation of the presence of marine litter, microplastics and plastic additives in ten bioindicator species (sea turtles, seabirds and cetaceans) accidentally stranded in the study area and seven sampled during the sampling activities or with the support of fisheries (invertebrates and fish). The final data processing, merging the data of biodiversity and marine litter abundance in the environment, as well as the analysis of marine litter, microplastics and plastic additives in bioindicator species, allowed to create risk maps for the biodiversity that inhabits this area of great ecological value and to identify critical areas to be preserved for habitat and biodiversity conservation. Acknowledgement: Plastic Busters MPAs Interreg EU Med-project Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558758/document
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